IOC tells Randhir to take action against 'illegitimate' IOA

The International Olympic Committee has asked its Indian member Randhir Singh to take all measures, including legal action, against "illegitimate individuals" claiming to represent the suspended Indian Olympic Association.

Miffed after new secretary general of the suspended IOA, Lalit Bhanot, began official correspondence with national sports federations on two major international multi-sport events, the IOC said the move was in violation of its directives.

The world body has asked Randhir, who was the secretary general in IOA's old guard, to take appropriate action.

"The IOC is extremely concerned by the ongoing situation of the suspended Indian Olympic Association and the misappropriation of responsibilities and properties by a number of illegitimate individuals claiming to represent the suspended Indian Olympic Association whereas the IOC has already made it clear that the so-called 'elections' were null and void and are not recognised by the IOC," IOC director general Christophe De Kepper said in a letter to Randhir.

"...these illegal actions which obviously violate all IOC directives and decisions are aggravating the situation of the suspended Indian Olympic Association. All individuals involved (directly or by complicity) will be held responsible and the IOC will reserve the right to take any action against them."

"In your capacity as an IOC member and secretary general of the suspended Indian Olympic Association, we request that you take all necessary measures and, if appropriate, any legal action at national level against these individuals in order to protect all assets and properties of the suspended Indian Olympic Association. We thank you for your prompt action," it added.

The IOC letter came after Bhanot, who is out on bail and faces corruption charges, sent letters from the official IOA email ID to National Sports Federations.

The letters sought information on accreditation details and budgets for preparation of teams for the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in South Korea in June next year and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014.